Irvine, California, USA – Ambry Genetics,
a worldwide leader in genetic testing, announced it has introduced a
valuable enhancement to its CF molecular testing menu. The Ambry Test:
CF Amplified can now detect gross deletions, increasing the detection
rates of genetic abnormalities that can cause CF. Gross deletions for
CF have been commercially undetectable until now.
This is the next obvious step in improving the molecular
diagnosis of CF but no one had been able to bring it to market, said
Charles Dunlop, Chief Executive Officer of Ambry Genetics. I am proud
that our research department has made us the first company to provide
the clinical market with this breakthrough technology and offer health
care professionals a higher level of resolution in their diagnosis,
continued Dunlop.
The Ambry Test: CF and The Ambry Test: CF Amplified combine
scanning and sequencing technologies to analyze a genes entire coding
region plus surrounding critical introns. The tests provide the most
comprehensive analysis of the CFTR gene currently available, scanning
for the more than 1,300 known mutations rather than simply identifying
25 to 100 specific mutations. Gross deletion testing can aid in those
cases when full gene sequence analysis has not resulted in a conclusive
diagnosis.
Gross deletions comprise a significant percentage of mutations
causing CF. Since Ambry
Genetics new deletion assay may solve more patient dilemmas by providing
a complete explanation, Ambry Genetics is offering to retest individuals,
when appropriate, at a reduced cost.
Source: Ambry Genetics, May 20, 2000, www.ambrygen.com
